Reporters Barred From Biden's Fiscal Cliff Conference Call

Why should the public have any interest in the government's financial mess?

HARRISBURG — The front page of the White House's website for its Office of Intergovernmental Affairs prominently features a quote from President Barack Obama promising "open and honest" government.

Apparently, that office's idea of open and honest government does not include the public or the media.

The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, which coordinates presidential efforts with mayors and town councils across the nation, is hosting a conference call on Thursday afternoon with Vice President Joe Biden to discuss the Democrats' plan to deal with the so-called "fiscal cliff" that is looming at the end of the year.  The invitation to the call, which was distributed to local government officials on Tuesday, explicitly forbids the media from participating in the call.